Upgrades to your Formula! What have you done?
 

Here we go.

Since we have ALL added a little "Bling" to our boats, how about we share the thoughts and ideas with other owners. They are all here across the Formula Forum, but a quick overview of each specific project, and a couple of shots can't hurt!

Put the model of your boat in the description, then post a brief overview of the project and include a couple of pictures to share. Then answer the usual Q & A.

The best compliment anyone can and will pay, is an upgrade from your idea!

Dave

1999 353 Fastech
 

1 - Go to advanced to start the post.

2 - Year and make of your boat in the title

3 - Post away!

Here is an example:


Changed the color of the white pieces on my bolster seats to a candy red.

First I disassembled the bolster seats removing all of the metal parts. Took them to the sandblast booth and let them have it. The aluminum casting wasn't that smooth, so we filled the little holes with some filler.

Then after a quick shot of zinc primer powder coat and a finish sand, we laid a chrome base (powdercoat) and then a Candy Red finish (powdercoat as well). Re-assembly complete! New look!

Dave

1999 353 Fastech
 

And then the finished product!


Dave

I'll post the list. If anyone wants any pictures of a particular update let me know, and I'll add them. Otherwise, I'd totally hijack this post...

From stem to stern:

1. Flagship Silver Pearl paint in 2004, updated with "swooshes" in 2008.
2. Installed 4" TemurPedic topper on v-berth in 2005. Big-time comfort.
3. Replaced the shoebox TV/VCR combo with a fold-down flatscreen/DVD on a new panel in 2005; converted the area behind the flatscreen to USABLE storage.
4. Changed the cabin lighting valance panel upholstery from blue to black in 2008.
5. Installed a dimmer for all cabin lights in 2008.
6. Installed a wineglass rack for The Admiral's acrylic wine glass set in 2003. Removed it in 2006 after she got fed up with cleaning the glasses. Custom plastic cups with a picture of the boat are used now. (She takes them home an washes them - go figure.)
7. Installed an Ipod dock for audio and video in 2008.
8. Replaced air conditioning unit in 2009.
9. Installed 10" Garmin chartplotter over the companionway in 2002; upgraded to a 12" unit with satellite weather in 2007.
10. Added water pressure gauges in 2002.
11. Changed gauge bezels from blue to silver in 2008.
12. Updated the steering wheel to the ubiquitous Aria model in 2008.
13. Installed my own VHF radio and antenna in 2000. Upgraded to a DSC VHF radio linked to the chartplotter in 2007.
14. Changed the cockpit lights to LED's in 2008.
15. Painted the bolster bases silver/prismatic in 2010.
16. Added Axapowell's BlingPlates in 2009.
17. Changed from a blue bimini and cover to a gray bimini with a white cover in 2008.
18. Move house/starboard engine battery to the starboard side and added a second battery to re-balance the boat and add endurance to the 12v house supply in 2004.
19. Changed from Eickert exhaust manifolds to Stellings headers in 2004.
20. Completely rerigged and repainted the bilge and engines in 2008. (Uber-project on many levels, covered in it's own thread...)
21. Removed the Silent Thunder box in 2004. Quickly added mufflers in 2005. ("Huh?" "What?" "I can't hear you!")
22. Added external underwater bypass to mufflers in 2008.
23. And other stuff that I've forgotten...

AXAPOWELL,
Looks Great, I am interested seeing some better pics of the speaker pods behind/beside the bolsters. Speakers look like they are sitting in mid air.
In the process of installing new system in my boat, always looking for ideas.

1993 357
 

Here is couple pic of my renovation from last year. Posted many pics of this project here http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...7-upgrade.html
Updated to 2000 382

Your 357 project was impressive! Great perseverance and attention to detail; it really did look like a 2000+ interior. Do I read your post to say that you sold that boat and bought a 382?

1999 353 Fastech
 

Well, this was one of the first projects that I did on my boat. in 2006, I decided to put my system in and I had made pods for my 303 that were mounted in a similar spot. I wanted something a little bigger that would project sound across the back seat and over sunpad to the water if we are swimming.

I went to the drawing board several times to get it right and this is the final design. These are made from Corian countertop material. Several different diameter 1/2" thick rings (CNC'd) and then adheared together, sanded smooth and then painted. The holes for the grill actually mount the speaker to the pod, so I taped the pods, duramixed heli-coils into the Corian and then used stainless steel allen heads. The speakers are 8" coaxial Memphis Audio Marine. Great speaker if you amp them! I have a pair of 6 X 9's (Memphis as well) up front in the stock location and a Pro Diamond Audio 10" sub buried in the gunwhale on the port side. Pioneer deck with a dash mounted remote and a Memphis Bell 5 channel hybrid (4 channel for the speakers and a mono block for the sub in one chassis).

I plan to replace the deck with a new Alpine, wireless remote, and a couple of sub-woofers this spring (if I get to it).

Dave

I have not sold boat yet. I haven't tried. With the economy the way it is, I am just happy to have a boat right now. Probably be holding off for another yr.
I have removed all the upholstery up top and redoing it right now. I will be posting all pictures involved with the new interior and stereo install when it progresses alittle further.

C Spray
You have done alot of awesome upgrades. I used some of your interior pics to help me do mine.

You wouldn't happen to have a pic of the TemurPedic topper? Curious if you put it on top of the existing cushions or just replaced them with this.

We measured the bunk, and bought a topper that would cover it. Don't forget to get a topper that's at least 4" wider than your v-berth, as things get wider as you add height.

Once the topper was fully decompressed (they ship them rolled up and vacuum-packed), we laid the existing cushions on top of it, traced it out, and cut it (at an angle) with an electric carving knife. Voila! Instant comfort. It doesn't breathe as well as the cushions, so it does make things a bit warmer. You'll have to crank the A/C down a couple of degrees...

Thanks, but your interior project shows true dedication and workmanship as well. Glad the photos helped!

mattress

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...a-parking.html

stereo and other stuff

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...tinkering.html

trailer upgrades...gotta have a swet trailer underit.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/t...iler-redo.html


other stuff maybe not covered in the links:

cockpit carpet upgrade and pad
red steering wheel and drink holders
Navman flush GPS/plotter/fuel install
transom stereo remote
transom trim switches

silent thunder box removal and Corsa muffler (minus diffuser cones) install

I'm sure there's more...

Hi

That looked real cool, not all blings are as sucessful as this

Nice

Thanks! I feel it was well worth the work.

I have done several other "upgrades" as well and will share as we go!

Dave

That's it??? 16 replies?

Guess so...I mean we are all humble...Right?

Dave

No one can top what you've done! The boat looks great!:drink:

I installed the cockpit carpet with the Fastech logo in it. I purchased it from Kevin, (aka KJM5125), and Dave's (aka AXAPOWELL) step plates. So I have to be humble. I'm just a good idea hyjacker.:popcorn:

Get some pic's up here!!! I wanna see them there step plates in action!

Dave

Show us! That sounds pretty cool.

Coming for 2010 (Item #24):

I'll grab some pics this weekend and post em. Not much to see,but I do dig the step plates. I have the factory Kenwood system that came in my boat (2004 382) but I would like a clean looking place for the I-pod where I can easily access it, but not have it flopping all over. Ideas????

Mine is a work in progress and I just got my dash and switch panels back today. Here is some before and after pics. I bought the Livorsi Momo wheel and had the panels paint matched also got all new gauges from them. Having the sticks chrome powder coated with blue tops and the drive indicator bezel chrome also. I will post more as I get further.

Has anyone in a 1997 replaced there glove box hatch with billet? I was thinking about doing that to improve that side!

I just finished up a winter repower on my Fastech 271. Installed a 693 HP 540 EFI , 280 Merc. K planes, XR drive with Max machine works mods just to name a few. Jeff Wurl

1995 271 Indy

1. 575SCi w/ bits powdercoated to mimic the original engine's color theme
2. Imco Transom Assembly
3. Bravo XR
4. CMI E-Tops w/ 6" rise
5. GGB Mufflers
6. Latham strainer
7. Imco water pickup
8. Latham helm
9. Livorsi gauges mounted in new dash panels
10. All the hardware needed to hook the stuff up

Now we're talking! Lots of great and well-executed stuff here.

Now we're digging where there's tators!!!

Nice up-grades...keep 'em coming!

Dave

Engines back in Dave:)

Nice looking stuff everyone!!


http://www.totallyamaha.net/images/smilies/bling.gif

Dave

What is doing the blue lighting?

Everything is out of my boat...... :(

twelve inch strip LEDS from advance auto bling bling for cheap:)

I did. looks great and easy. Im am in process of firecoated the bolsters now. pics when done.

What's on the job list, Nort? You're not allowed to copy me - you have to come up with your own ideas. :lolhit:

If you have a pic will you post it? I think I am going to try that after I get my dash and sticks back in. Hopefully that will be this weekend if the powdercoater get them done!
Thanks!

I'm really surprised that this thread died so quickly....I'll throw another of my upgrades in the mix, maybe others will join in.

It was the Spring of 2008 and the goal was to make the Bird Fly a little faster...

Yank the motors and pull off both of the transom assemblies....


Dave

Next was to get out the check book and pick up a few go fast parts.

New IMCO inner transom assemblies and 12" extension boxes!

And a pair of Mercury Racing Sportmaster 2" Shorties, polished to a high luster. (Found out later that the shine was only good for a couple of days in the water...now they are brushed finish)

Dave

And the finished Transom. With the new Latham steering extensions for the boxes and their special drive showers in the bracket.

Dave

Then a complete re-rig to the engine compartment moving all of the wiring and hoses into a more uniform pattern. The engines freshend up and dynoed making around 650hp each on a conservative tune-up and running 89 octane fuel. New fuel pumps, Demon Marine carbs, 10 quart oil pans, 3" oil coolers, all new fule lines and oil lines larger to handle the extra power as well. Plus the usual AXA---Bling to make it stand apart from the rest...

Dave